U.S. patent application number 11/275440 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-20 for apparatus and method for initializing a telematics terminal.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Young-Mun KIM.
Application Number | 20060158319 11/275440 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35985318 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060158319 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Young-Mun |
July 20, 2006 |
Apparatus and Method for Initializing A Telematics Terminal
Abstract
A method and apparatus for initializing a telematics terminal
includes generating a door open signal corresponding to an open
state of a door of a vehicle. The telematics terminal is
initialized based on the door open signal. An accessory signal
corresponding to a position or change in operating state of an
ignition switch may be generated. At least one telematics module
within the vehicle can be initialized based on the door open signal
or the accessory signal.
Inventors: |
KIM; Young-Mun; (Gunpo,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & RICHARDSON P.C.
P.O. BOX 1022
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55440-1022
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
Yongdungpo-gu
KR
|
Family ID: |
35985318 |
Appl. No.: |
11/275440 |
Filed: |
January 3, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/425.5 ;
340/545.1; 340/995.1; 381/104; 381/302; 713/1; 713/100 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07C 9/00896 20130101;
G07C 2009/00793 20130101; G07C 9/00182 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/425.5 ;
340/545.1; 713/001; 713/100; 381/302; 381/104; 340/995.1 |
International
Class: |
B60Q 1/00 20060101
B60Q001/00; G06F 15/177 20060101 G06F015/177; G06F 1/24 20060101
G06F001/24; H03G 3/00 20060101 H03G003/00; H04R 5/02 20060101
H04R005/02; G08B 13/08 20060101 G08B013/08; G08G 1/123 20060101
G08G001/123 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 5, 2005 |
KR |
10-2005-0000892 |
Claims
1. A method for initializing a telematics terminal comprising:
generating a door open signal corresponding to an open state of a
door of a vehicle; and initializing a telematics terminal based on
the door open signal.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein initializing the telematics
terminal comprises initializing a multimedia player within the
telematics terminal based on the door open signal.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the door open signal is a door
unlock signal for opening the door of the vehicle.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the door open signal is generated
responsive to a position or change in position of the vehicle
door.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the door open signal
comprises detecting an opened state of a driver's side door of the
vehicle.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: generating an
accessory signal corresponding to a position or change in operating
state of an ignition switch; and initializing the telematics
terminal based on the accessory signal.
7. The method of claim 3, further comprising transmitting the door
unlock signal with a remote controller.
8. The method of claim 3, wherein the door unlock signal is
generated at the door of the vehicle.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein initializing the telematics
terminal comprises initializing a telematics module within the
telematics terminal based on the door open signal.
10. A method for initializing a telematics terminal comprising:
generating a door open signal corresponding to an open state of a
door of a vehicle; and initializing a multimedia device based on
the door open signal.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein initializing the multimedia
device comprises: monitoring the multimedia device for available
storage media; and loading the multimedia device with the available
storage media or contents of the available storage media.
12. The method of claim 10, further comprising: generating an
accessory signal corresponding to a position or change in operating
state of an ignition switch; and initializing the multimedia device
based on the accessory signal.
13. A method for controlling a vehicle system, the method
comprising: generating a door open signal corresponding to an open
state of a door of a vehicle; and generating an accessory signal
corresponding to a position or change in operating state of an
ignition switch; and initializing at least one telematics module
within the vehicle based on the door open signal or the accessory
signal.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the door open signal is
generated responsive to a position or change in position of the
vehicle door.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the door open signal is a door
unlock signal for opening the door of the vehicle.
16. An apparatus for initializing a telematics terminal comprising:
a door detecting unit configured for generating a door open signal
corresponding to an open state of a door of a vehicle; and a
controller configured for initializing at least one telematics
module in the vehicle based on the door open signal.
17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured
for initializing at least one telematics module inside the vehicle
based on an accessory signal corresponding to a position or change
in operating state of an ignition switch.
18. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising an interface
circuit electrically connected between the door detecting unit and
the controller, wherein the interface circuit is configured for
receiving the accessory signal and the door open signal.
19. The method of claim 15, wherein the door open signal is
generated responsive to a position or change in position of the
vehicle door.
20. The method of claim 15, wherein the door open signal is a door
unlock signal for opening the door of the vehicle.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119
to Korean Patent Application No. 00892/2005, filed in Korea on Jan.
5, 2005, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference
herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This description relates to initialization of a telematics
terminal in a vehicle.
[0003] In general, a telematics terminal is mounted in a car (or
other mobile vehicle) and connected with a wireless communication
network. The telematics terminal provides a call function, map
information, a multimedia function, and/or a GPS (Global
Positioning System) navigation function, and also includes an
audio/video system.
[0004] A telematics terminal will be described hereinafter with
reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 shows a conventional telematics
terminal 100 mounted in a car, and FIG. 2 is a schematic block
diagram showing a conventional telematics system.
[0005] Referring to FIG. 2, the telematics system includes an
information providing center 300 for providing telematics service
information such as a call function, map information, traffic
information and/or multimedia information, and a telematics
terminal 100 for receiving the telematics service information
through a wireless communication network 200 and providing the
received telematics service information to users.
[0006] The telematics terminal 100 is initialized based on an ACC
(Accessory) signal generated when a driver turns on an ignition
key. Thus, when the driver enters a vehicle, the telematics
terminal is inoperable during the initialization time of the
telematics terminal 100.
SUMMARY
[0007] In one general aspect, a method for initializing a
telematics terminal includes generating a door open signal
corresponding to an open state of a door of a vehicle. The method
includes initializing a telematics terminal based on the door open
signal.
[0008] Implementations may include one or more of the following
features.
[0009] Initializing the telematics terminal may include
initializing a multimedia player within the telematics terminal
based on the door open signal. Initializing of the telematics
terminal may include initializing a telematics module within the
telematics terminal based on the door open signal.
[0010] The door open signal may be a door unlock signal for opening
the door of the vehicle. The door open signal may be generated
responsive to a position or change in position of the vehicle
door.
[0011] Generating the door open signal may include detecting an
opened state of a driver's side door of the vehicle. An accessory
signal may be generated that corresponds to a position or change in
operating state of an ignition switch. The telematics terminal may
be based on the accessory signal.
[0012] The door unlock signal may be transmitted with a remote
controller. The door unlock signal may be generated at the door of
the vehicle.
[0013] In another general aspect, a method for initializing a
telematics terminal includes generating a door open signal
corresponding to an open state of a door of a vehicle. The method
includes initializing a multimedia device based on the door open
signal.
[0014] Implementations may include one or more of the following
features.
[0015] Initializing the multimedia device may include monitoring
the multimedia device for available storage media. Initializing the
multimedia device may include loading the multimedia device with
the available storage media or contents of the available storage
media.
[0016] The method may include generating an accessory signal
corresponding to a position or change in operating state of an
ignition switch. The method may include initializing the multimedia
device based on the accessory signal.
[0017] In another general aspect, a method for controlling a
vehicle system includes generating a door open signal corresponding
to an open state of a door of a vehicle. The method includes
generating an accessory signal corresponding to a position or
change in operating state of an ignition switch. At least one
telematics module within the vehicle is initialized based on the
door open signal or the accessory signal.
[0018] Implementations may include one or more of the following
features.
[0019] The door open signal may be generated responsive to a
position or change in position of the vehicle door. The door open
signal may be a door unlock signal for opening the door of the
vehicle.
[0020] In another general aspect, an apparatus for initializing a
telematics terminal includes a door detecting unit configured for
generating a door open signal corresponding to an open state of a
door of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a controller configured
for initializing at least one telematics module in the vehicle
based on the door open signal.
[0021] Implementations may include one or more of the following
features.
[0022] The controller may be configured for initializing at least
one telematics module inside the vehicle based on an accessory
signal corresponding to a position or change in operating state of
an ignition switch.
[0023] The apparatus may include an interface circuit electrically
connected between the door detecting unit and the controller,
wherein the interface circuit is configured for receiving the
accessory signal and the door open signal.
[0024] The door open signal may be generated responsive to a
position or change in position of the vehicle door. The door open
signal may be a door unlock signal for opening the door of the
vehicle.
[0025] The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and
advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is a view of a telematics terminal mounted in a
vehicle.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a conventional
telematics system.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus for
initializing a telematics terminal in a vehicle.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus for
initializing a multimedia player of a telematics terminal in a
vehicle.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an initialization operation of the
multimedia player of the telematics terminal of FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] An apparatus and method for initializing a telematics
terminal and a multimedia player and for quickly initializing the
telematics terminal and the multimedia player when a door of a
vehicle is opened will be described in greater detail hereinafter
with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus for
initializing a telematics terminal in a vehicle in accordance with
a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, an apparatus for
initializing a telematics terminal 100 in a vehicle includes a door
detecting unit 101 for generating a door open signal based upon a
door's open state, e.g., when a door of a vehicle is opened or
closed, when a control signal to open a door is transmitted to or
received by the door detecting unit 101, when other changes occur
in a door's position, such as partially opened/closed beyond a
threshold, locked, unlocked or other state or position changes
experienced by the door. The telematics terminal 100 also includes
a controller 103 for initializing the telematics terminal 100 in
the vehicle based on the door open signal. Initializing may include
one or more of powering up the telematics terminal, switching the
telematics to a standby or active mode and/or loading an operating
system or content from an available storage media into or with one
or more modules of the telematics terminal.
[0033] The controller 103 receives the door open signal through an
interface circuit 102 electrically connected between the controller
103 and the door detecting unit 101 and initializes the telematics
terminal 100 based on the door open signal.
[0034] An operation mode of the controller 103 is set to a door
detection mode by a user, or upon installation or configuration of
the controller. The controller 103 initializes the telematics
terminal 100 based on the door open signal when in the door
detection mode. Alternatively, or in combination with the door
detection mode, the operation mode of the controller 103 can be set
to an ACC (Accessory signal) mode by the user or upon installation
or configuration of the controller. In the ACC mode, the controller
103 initializes the telematics terminal 100 based on the ACC signal
generated when an ignition key of the vehicle is manually turned to
an on or off position or is activated with a remote controller,
e.g., to change an operating state of an ignition switch.
[0035] The operation of the apparatus for initializing the
telematics terminal 100 in the vehicle in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment will be described in greater detail
hereinafter with reference to FIG. 3.
[0036] First, when the operation mode of the controller 103 is set
to the ACC mode, such as by the user, the controller 103 receives
the ACC signal generated when the ignition key is turned to control
an ignition switch as a driver enters the vehicle. The controller
103 receives the ACC signal through the interface circuit 102 and
initializes the telematics terminal 100 based on the received ACC
signal.
[0037] When the operation mode of the controller 103 is changed to
the door detection mode, such as by the user, the door detecting
unit 101 detects an open state of the door, such as the door
adjacent to a driver's seat as a driver opens the door to enter the
vehicle. The door detecting unit 101 also outputs a generated door
open signal to the interface circuit 102. However, the door
detecting unit 101 can output the door open signal directly to the
controller 103, e.g., not via the interface circuit 102. The door
detecting unit 101 includes one or more switches to generate the
door open signal.
[0038] The controller 103 receives the door open signal and
initializes the telematics terminal 100 based on the received door
open signal. In addition, when one, e.g., the door open signal, of
the ACC signal and the door open signal is received, the controller
103 can disregard the other signal, e.g., the ACC signal that is
received later. The controller 103 can alternatively disregard
either of the signals based on a predetermined order of
significance, e.g., wherein the ACC signal is treated as a
secondary signal with respect to the door open signal or vice
versa.
[0039] Accordingly, in the apparatus for initializing the
telematics terminal 100 in the vehicle in accordance with the first
embodiment, by initializing the telematics terminal 100 based on
the door open signal instead of the ACC signal, the telematics
terminal can be initialized quickly. For example, while the driver
is in the process of opening the door of the vehicle, sitting on
the driver's seat and turning on the ignition key of the vehicle,
the telematics terminal can be initialized so that the driver can
promptly use the telematics terminal.
[0040] The apparatus for initializing the telematics terminal 100
in the vehicle can quickly initialize various modules installed in
the telematics terminal or only a specific one of the various
modules based on the door open signal. For example, a multimedia
player of the telematics terminal can be quickly initialized based
on the door open signal.
[0041] The method for initializing the multimedia player of the
telematics terminal will now be described with reference to FIG. 4.
FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus 200 for
initializing a multimedia player of a telematics terminal in a
vehicle in accordance with a second embodiment. The multimedia
player can be an optical disk or other media player, such as a CD
(Compact Disk) player and/or a DVD (Digital Video Disk or Digital
Versatile Disk) player 204.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 4, the apparatus 200 for initializing the
multimedia player, e.g., the CD/DVD player, includes a door
detecting unit 201 for generating a door open signal when the door,
e.g., a door adjacent to or immediately next to a driver's seat, of
the vehicle is opened. The apparatus 200 includes an interface
circuit 202 for receiving an ACC signal generated when an ignition
key of the vehicle is turned on or the door open signal, and a
controller 203 for determining an operation state of the CD/DVD
player 204 based on the door open signal or the ACC signal. The
controller also 203 initializes the CD/DVD player 204 when the
CD/DVD player 204 is in an abnormal state or powered-down
state.
[0043] The operation of the apparatus for initializing the CD/DVD
player in accordance with the second embodiment will be described
in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 5 is a flow
chart of an initialization operation of the multimedia player of
the telematics terminal 100 in accordance with the second
embodiment. First, when the driver opens the door of the driver's
seat to enter the vehicle, the door detecting unit 201 detects the
opened state of the door of the driver's seat, generates the door
open signal, and outputs it to the interface circuit 202.
Alternatively, the door detecting unit 201 outputs the door open
signal directly to the controller 203, e.g., not via the interface
circuit 202, and/or senses only the opened state of the door of the
driver's seat of the vehicle.
[0044] The controller 203 receives the door open signal (step S11)
and initializes the CD/DVD player 204 based on the received door
open signal. For example, the controller 203 determines whether a
CD or a DVD has been inserted in the CD/DVD player 204 based on the
door open signal, and if the disk is not completely loaded, the
controller 203 completes disk loading. The controller 204 checks an
operation state of the CD/DVD player 204 (step S12), and if the
CD/DVD player 204 is in an abnormal state (step S13) or
powered-down state, the controller 204 initializes the CD/DVD
player 204 to restore the CD/DVD player 204 to its normal operating
state (step S15).
[0045] After initializing the CD/DVD player 204, the controller 203
changes the operation mode of the CD/DVD player 204 to a standby
mode (step S14). When the CD/DVD player 204 is in a normal state
(step S13), the controller 203 changes the operation mode of the
CD/DVD player 204 to the standby mode in order to receive an input
of a user. When the controller 203 is changed to the ACC mode by
the user, the controller 203 receives the ACC signal generated when
the driver enters the vehicle and activates the ignition switch,
such as turning the ignition key. The ACC signal is sent to the
controller 203 through the interface circuit 202, and the
controller initializes the CD/DVD player 204 based on the received
ACC signal. For example, the controller 203 determines whether the
CD or the DVD has been inserted in the CD/DVD player 204 responsive
to the ACC signal, and if disk loading is not completed, the
controller 203 completes disk loading. The controller 204 checks an
operation state of the CD/DVD player 204, and if the CD/DVD player
204 is in an abnormal state, the controller 204 initializes the
CD/DVD player 204 to restore the CD/DVD player 204 to its normal
state. The controller 203 can initialize the CD/DVD player 204 and
then changes the operation mode of the CD/DVD player 204 to a
standby mode. When the CD/DVD player 204 is in the abnormal state,
the controller 203 changes the CD/DVD player 204 to the standby
mode in order to receive an input of the user. When one, e.g., the
door open signal, of the ACC signal and the door open signal is
first received, the other signal received later, e.g., the ACC
signal, is disregarded in order not to repeat the initialization
operation of the CD/DVD player 204.
[0046] Accordingly, the CD/DVD player 204 is initialized based on
the door open signal in the second embodiment, so that the CD/DVD
player 204 can be initialized quickly. For example, while the
driver is in the process of opening the door of the vehicle,
sitting on the driver's seat and turning on the ignition key of the
vehicle, the CD/DVD player 204 can be initialized, so that the
driver can promptly use the CD/DVD player 204.
[0047] The initialization apparatus in accordance with the
foregoing embodiments can be applied to various devices installed
in the vehicle in various ways. For example, when a car owner
generates a door unlock signal for opening the door of the vehicle,
such as with a remote controller, a BCM (Body Control Module) of
the vehicle opens the door of the vehicle based on the door unlock
signal and simultaneously outputs the door unlock signal to the
controller. The controller initializes/boots the telematics
terminal based on the door unlock signal, thereby quickly
initializing (booting) the telematics terminal. The door unlock
signal can also be generated by unlocking the driver's door
manually.
[0048] By initializing the telematics terminal when the door of the
vehicle is opened, the telematics terminal can be quickly
initialized. For example, while the driver opens the door of the
vehicle, is seated on the driver's seat and turns on the ignition
key of the vehicle, the telematics terminal can be initialized, so
that the driver can promptly use the telematics terminal.
[0049] Also, by initializing the CD/DVD player when the door of the
vehicle is opened, the CD/DVD player can be quickly initialized.
For example, while the driver opens the door of the vehicle, is
seated on the driver's seat and turns on the ignition key of the
vehicle, the CD/DVD player can be initialized, so that the driver
can promptly use the CD/DVD player.
[0050] In addition, by receiving the door unlock signal through the
remote controller, which remotely controls the door of the vehicle,
and initializing the telematics terminal in the vehicle based on
the door unlock signal, the telematics terminal can be more quickly
initialized.
[0051] It should be understood that the above-described embodiments
are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description.
Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *